davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
POSTAL FRAUDS IN MoRMoNDoM.

How the Postmasters Manage TO Defraud the
Department of Small Sums.
Washington pecai.
The saints of the Church of Jesus Christ of
the latter day are disposed to look upon the gen.
tile government of the United States as their
lawful prey. The Postofice Department mas
continual trouble with the revenue returns of
the postmaster. The practice which occurs &C.
easionalIy elsewhere of returning the total value
of stamps sold as the amount of cancellations,
which the fourth-class postmaster's salary is cal
culated, is general in Utah, and the fraud is the
more remunerative to the crooked postmaster,
and involves more loss to the government, be-
cause il is common thing in Utah to remit
the tithes from the small villages
actual cancellations are, say 500 year, sells
500 worth of stamps for mailing Proposes to
the village and 800 worth of stamps to be sent
to the church authorities at Salt Lake City. and
then reports to the government that his cancel
lations amount to 5000 year. When special
agent is sent into the Territory to investigate the
Mormon postmasters pass the word along and
stand by each other. One way of making the
accounts come out even when an Investigation is
in progress is to ''load" mail matter, that is, a
postmaster who has been overstating his can
cellations and knows investigation is going
on who lie going to overstate his cancellations.
puts more stamps than are necessary on matter
mailed at his Office. This makes big show of
cancellations while an inspection Is
going on, but this device is only
resOrLed TO Wneu the guilty postmaster
thinks his cancellations are being checked off by
an ins pector a postmaster he cannot rely
Usually the postmaster WHO'S expected to check
up again st him is a brother Mormon, and they
have an understanding For example. matter
mailed at AS Office goes through B's Office. 3 is
called check up the CANCELLATIONS on matter
from AS Office. A knows it, so he writes a
package "a 10 understands that, although
the cancellations really amount to much less, A
has credited himself with 81 10 of cancellations
b. brother saint enters the same
m a finds
account agrees perfectly with A g. These
only samples of an infinite variety of ways OF
beating the revenue. The Postmaster general
now has fifty fourth class postmasters in Utah
ON his list for removal
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
A "NEw ONE. ABOUT BEN BUTLER.
The Shortest and Best Speech He Ever De
In Cnngreaa.

The Shortest and Best Speech He Ever De-
livered In Congress.
Il was talking with Congressman Calklns in
Indiapapolis on Sunday last" said Mr.. Will V.
Rocker In the lobby Of the Paxton, "and he
gave me what l thought was new one about
old Ben Butler. The way conversation
started, Calkins asked about Crazy-horse
Van Wyck, and remarked that he made very
picturesque picture in the Senate L never saw
but other man with such wild and woolly
gesture as Van Wyck had. and that was an Ohio
Congressman. whom / will not name. he rep
resented of the interior districts OF his State
trouble with Sam Cox and a good many other
people in the House. and doing them all ND moro
or less in his own peculiar way. The One man
had been loaded for Benjamin for some time and
at last one day he got his chance.
''His speech was simply torrent OF vulgar
abuse and would have attracted unmlt1gateo
disgust had it not been for his peculiar gesture.
which tenn pered the disgust with mirth he had
fashion of raising his arms just as high above
his head as possible and then wringng his hands
as though he were making delirious attempt to
wiring them off. Well, old Ben sat through the
moving 8 muscle When the Ohio IAN had fin
ished and taken his seat, Ben rose-calm, digni-
led and imDressive-and stood in the aisle. For
half minute he said nothing. Then he began:
MIR. Speaker" Another pause, long and pom
derous. Everybody waited. Raising his arm,
Ben reproduced exactly the awful gesture of the
Ohio Congressman Then ne permitted his
arms TO fall again, and for another half minute
stood still and silent. THAT is all. Mr.. Speak
err" said the shrewd and sarcastic of Massa-
chusetts. II just wanted to answer the gentle
man from Ohio Judging from the wild
laughter and applause which followed old Ben's
speech was at once the shortest and the best
ever delivered in the lower house.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
He Knew 1t Would Rain.

st. Louis Globe Democrat
IT spent the 4th of July" said Sergeant Mo-
Comb, lin part of Illinois where the farmers
hadn't any rain for month and were praying
for it to come. / was in the house of one of
these farmers strong believer in the efficacy
of prayer, and he told me ne thought that the
Lord was sending them the drought to punish
them for their wickedness. After dinner l went
out into the woods and lay down under tree.
Pretty soon big dead limb dropped off a tree
close to my head. had lived in the country
long enough to know that was good sign of
approaching rain. Then in little while more
I heard a tree-toad chirrup. Rain sign
No. 2! Then I heard rain crow cav and l sat
up to listen. Sign No. 81 Presently heard a
locomotive whistle and the train rumble over
track knew fifteen miles away. Sign No.
4! ] got up and went into the house and told
my friend that had been out praying for rain
come before night, and added that / was con-
fideut of getting what wanted. He looked at
me mournfully. and said in hopeless way that
he guessed not. It wasn't for an irreligious man
from St. Louis to come out there and outpray
all the good people of that neiehborhood. [ took
him out in the yard and showed him the clouds.
Oh said he with cheerfulness, 'that'll pass
around US. We've mad that TO occur before. ,
But made him make everything secure, and
before long there came along a rain that would
have drowned man if he had been out in it.
The farmer was in ecstacies and would have
canonized me if he had known how. l left
while my laurels were green, and l suppose my
friend hasn't yet decided whether or not l pos
sess suDeruatural powers"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
THE SUPREME COURT VACANCY.

Probability that Judge Pettus, of Alabama,
May BE Chosen by the President.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 10.-The Critic, this
morning, publishes the following on the subject
OF a successor to the late Justice Woods, of the
Supreme Courts
1.-THE appointment of successor TO the late
Justice Woods is still mooted question, and
any thing fresh on the subject is eagerly sought
The latest announcement is that Judge Edward
w. Pettus, OF Alabama, was the coming man,
but authority is given for the statement
This morning the Critic man met Hon. Michael
L. Woods. an intimate friend of Judge Pettus
and when asked if he knew anything concerning
the Judges candidacy, he said 1 know that the
President sent for Judge Pettus, and it was to
consult him about the appointment. Senator
George was prominently mentioned at one time,
but Secretary Lamar appeared on the scene and
George dropped out of sight But Lamar will
Lot be appointed. You say, without fear
of contradiction, that the President considers
Lamar his CHER counselor, and on that account
he will not give him up. / am of the opinion
that Judge Pettus will receive the appointment.
and he is a mai who will be a credit to the State
and bench, and prove once more Clevelands
good Judgment in the matter of selections for
responsible positions
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
About ComDetitiop.

TO the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The Evening News thinks that 'if natural gas
was permitted come in under an open permits
sion to strong company to charge what it
pleased. it would run out competition by the
power of big capital" Does the News mean
that the big company would charge so high for
gas that the little companies and even the coal
men couldn't reach it, and by that means be
run out2 Competition, a general rule, puts
prices down. and unless natural gas is unnatu-
raj in this respect. competition would be run
out by the big company putting the price so low
that the little companies couldn't afford it, and
by that means be run out, just as the Octopus"
1.-THE Newss especial terror) has been for years
and is still doing with coal oil. The people, of
whom there are great many more than there
of the coal, coke and gas men, and the stock
holders of the homo companies comb ined,
stand it to have all competition driven out by
the cheapncss at which the Octopus" the big
company, would sell.
If any one can read that little editorial and
still believe that the News is working and sweat
ing, this weather, for the good of the people, in
stead of for the benefit of the coal, coke and
artificial gas men and the few who are interest
ed in the home natura-gas companies-well,
heaven pity his blind credulity. Such innocence
needs guardian and more honest than
the News would be, shown by its twaddle on
the gas question. Let the Council at once pass
ordinance permitting the laying of mains all
over the city with other limitation
striction than that the persons company
ing the streets for that purpose, shall leave them
meddlng with the price at which natural gas
shall sell, as there is now none with all other
commodities seeking a market in our city.
INDIANAPOLIS. Aug. 10. GAS.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
Old Settlers, Meeting.

Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
SHELBYvILLE Aug. 1O-The old settlers
meeting at Riverside Park. near Flatrock, TO-
day, was attended by at least 5000 people from
this and the adjoining counties. An excursion
train ran from this city which carried several
hundred people. Hon. Sid Conge-. presi-
dent of the meeting, called the crowd
together about 10 o'clock, and introduced
Mr.. Thomas B. Adams who delivered the well
come address. He was followed by an address
E. Kent of this city. At 2 o'clock in the after
noon Judge K. NJ Hord delivered an interesting
address on the early history of the State and
county. Mr. B. F. Love also spoke for a short
time. The programme for Thursday consists of
addresses in the morning by Lieutenant Will
lam Miller. of Greensburg and Major Srrick-
land OF Columbus. In the afternoon Gen. John
Coburn will speak and at o'clock sham
battle win close the day.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Gas Ordinance and the Local Companies.
To the Editor of the INDIANAPOLIS Jou rnar
An editorial in this mornings Journal and
several anonymous articles, have represented the
views of part of the people on the natural-gas
question, and 1 should like to have hearing
In your editorial you say: 1.-THE city does not
fix the price Of coal Why should it of gasa" I
certainly much opposed any one to laws
regulating the terms or conditions of trade or
prices but when a corporation asks of city the
use Of its streets and alleys, and when the bust
ness is in its nature a monopoly. or one which
must be controlled by few corporations with
every interest in pooling, and one requiring
large fixed capital, it is imperative that they be
granted the right tc in only under such re-
strction will protect the people. This princi-
pie is now recognized by all writer's who have
made study of municipal governments To
turn to practical illustration I would call
your attention to the Citizens Gas Company
IN their charter there is restriction as to
price, and any company could get charter to
manufacture and sell gas and coke Although
it has been demonstrated that gas can be manu-
featured at not to exceed onefourth the selling
price in Indianapolis the natural competition OF
an open market has not reduced the price of gas
and we are now paying whatever the gas monop-
oily de- nands According to your correspondent
'Veritas." the competition of coal does not pre-
vent the use of gas at 81 80 in 1.50O stoves.
the Indianapolis Gas Company, which threat
ened competition, was swallowed up. 1t is clear
enough in the light of the past that there will be
effectual competition between any natural
gas companies in this city.
You have made the point that the three men
who control the Indianapolis Natural-gas Com
pany are interested in keeping gas out If they
could get natural gas here for this winter. their
loss would be their presumptive profits. Would
not the profits on the gas they would sell during
the winter very largely exceed the loss of profit
on coal2 If to leave out of the question
the interests of the natural-gas companies, and
look at it from the citizens side, the course of
the Council has been all that be desired.
The fuel of the manufacturer is slack coal. and
unless get at less than the cost of
this fuel, pray how is the manufacturer already
here to be benefited, and how will the
argument of cheap fuel to induce manufacturers
to come here. when the proposed fuel costs more
than our present cheap fuel Should ordi
nance which would suit all the natural gas COM
panies be passed, and work be begun at once,
only a small portion Of the city could be served
this winter and we would pay very dearly for
the empty name4of natural-gas city. The fact
that our local companies are sinking new wells
and settling the question OF the nearest avail
able supply is, think, guarantee of their good
faith. LINDLEY VINToN.
INDIANAPOLIS. Aug. TO-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
OhituarX.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
GREENCAsTLE, Ind, Aug. 10.-Dr D. w Lay
man. the oldest and one of the best-known practi-
TONERS of this county died of paralysis this after
noon at his home in Putuamvie. DIR. Layman
has been engaged in the practice of medicine
Putnamvlle for ffty-seven years The
funeral will be hold in Indianapolis Friday
morning. and the remains inferred in Crown
Hill Cemetery.
ELKHART. IND, Aug 10.-Samuel Suits
man, aged eighty-seven years, man Of
prominence and the first settler in Harrison
township, this county, coming here in 1882,
died last evening.
LEXINGTON. KY. Aug. 10.-John Clay, the
only remaining son of Henry Clay, died at his
farm near this city, this afternoon, at O'Clock.
He left the city at o'clock in his usual health.
going home. and after dining went out to
perntend repairs a pump. While giving in
structions to the workmen he fell dead, without
any premonition from heart disease. Mr.. Clay
was 81 years old. He had no children. He was
married about twenty years ago to his nephew's
widow, Mrs. Colonel Irwin. Colonel Irwin was
killed at the battle of Perryville while in COM
mand OF confederate regiment John Clay
possessed but few of the characteristics of his
illustrious father, being plain farmer devoting
much time to raising thoroughbred horses. He
became Catholic twenty years ago.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11

An Unsatisfactory Outlook for Non-COm
mfssioned Officers of the Army.
Washington Special.
the non-commissioned officers of the army
who have passed the examination for promo
ton to second lieutenancies have very bright
prospect of securing Advancement For num-
Der of years certain meritorious non-commis-
stoned officers have been promoted to second
lieutenancies. and even then civilian appoint
ments had to be made to fill the vacancies left
over after the assignment of the West Point
graduates. The appointment of other than
graduates have gradually disminishsd in num-
bers until this year there are not only vacan-
cieS for either non commissioned officers
civilians but not n few of the Military Academy
graduates are holding commissions as addition
al" second lieutenants. General Sheridan will
decide this week what disposition should be MI de
Of the non com missioned officers who have passed
the examinations this year. It was the purpose
Eome time ago to order them before the Fortress
Monroe board, after a class standing had been
established, to give them certificates as usual,
but there is possible chance for any of them get
ting commissions during the time allotted by the
regulations. 1t is considered by the majority of
the officials useless for the government to go to
the expense incident to the examination.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
Minor Notes.

John W. Morgan. who was shot near Spencer
on Saturday night. died at o'clock last even
ing.
President Fisher. of Hanover College. received
the degree of Doctor of Laws from Wooster y nj
versity at its last commencement
The jefferson county Sunday school conven-
ton meets to-day. Mr. NJ. g. CARRIER. editor of
the Madison Courier. will be one of the leading
speakers.
VIM. Gossett. who struck by an o. e. NJ
engine, last Friday night two miles east of Sey-
mour. died at his residence yesterday, near Con-
logue from the injuries received.
Hugh Fleming. of Wabash a mute son of w.
J. Fleming, was killed, on Tuesday in a shask-
ing manner A horse which he was driving IAN
away breaking tho boys legs arms. and tract
uring his skull. He died in great agony.
The engine house belonging to the Midland
railroad at Lebanon was destroyed by fire on
Tuesday night the water-tank was also injured
The engine used in pumping water was nearly
destroyed Loss about 81. 900; no insurance.
David Armstrong, Rome county farmer, was
driving clover-huller. on Tuesday, when the
team became frightened and ran away. Mr.
Armstrong received injuries which necesstated
the amputation of one of his legs below the knee
The annual pioneer picnic of northern Indiana
was held at Simonton lake. just north of Elk
hart. yesterday. and was attended by several
thousand persons. 1t was the largest and most
successful gathering of the kind ever known in
that vicinity. The address of the day de-
livered by Hon. Fl. D. Wilson
Mrs. Rebecca Colgrove, wife of Hon. Judge
Colgrove, who is in the pension department at
Washington, died at Winchester on Tuesday
after long illness. Mrs. Colgrove nearly
seventy years of age, and leaves a host of friends
Her sor, Late Colerove. who lives in Chicago
arrived in time to bid her final farewell.
The old settlers meeting of Morgan FAD Hen
bricks counties was held near Mooresville yes
terday The attendance very large despite
the intense heat and dusty condition of the
roads. Col c. c. Matson. of Greencastle, was
present and delivered an address. Several other
prominent men were present and made short
speeches.
or. shot himself in the head, on Tuesday, with
suicidal intent. Last week his wife got q divorce
from him on account of habitual intoxlcation.
Since then he has been verv much depressed in
spirits On Tuesday, when his wife came for
her clothes. he shot at her twice. and would have
killed her if she had not fed. He then placed
the revolver at his own head and fired. He is
very low and cannot recover.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
The Special Features Of the Journal
are of Great Value.

The decisions of the Supreme and local courts are
carefully reviewed by special reporters and will be
accurate and comprehensive. No attorney afford
to be without these reports in other way can
keep so fully informed and abreast of tho times.
In addition to its features the Journal ENJOYS
the services of of the best known writers in the
literary field among them many of the favorite con-
tributors to the leading magazines of the country
who will furnish regular articles. The increase in
space will permit the DAILY JOURNAL to pay more
attention to its miscellany and selected reading than
ever This will be appreciated by the large class Of
readers who interested in other matters than
merely the and current political discussions of
the day.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
ILLINOIS.
All Quiet in Hardin County, and It Is Hoped
the Troubles Are Ended

All Quiet in Hardin County, and It Is Hoped
the Troubles Are Ended.
HARRISBURG. Aug. 10.-Some of the later
developments In the Belt troubles in Hardin
county show decided evidences of quieter
state of affairs, with fair prospect of an end to
the bloody feu6 that has blotted her fair name
so long The correspondent who telegraphed
that County Judge Hess had received written
notice to leave the county was mistaken and
Judge Logan Belt, of the murdered Logan,
who left the county some weeks ago for fear of
his life, has returned; but he considers himself
far from safe and does not dare to venture out
after dark. Since the citizens have taken such
an active part against GRIN and the Governor
has offered reward for tt .ssassins of Logan
and James D. Belt, the ass-ssins are evidently
'1aying low" but no man knows when the out
break NAV come.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11

The grocery store of George Edwards. of AL
toona. has been closed by the sheriff. LiabiIi-
ties, So. 900.
Near Adeline, as Charles H. Newcomer was
driving to town after doctor, highwavman
pointed pistol at him and made him give over
his valuables.
The Lincoln homestead at Springfield has
been transferred to the State in compliance with
the provisions of a law enacted by the last GEN
eral Assembly.
tion of weekly paper at Orion devoted to their
and womans suffrage 1t is called the
Liberator, and will be used to build cd the Pro-
hlbition party and spread temperance knowl-
edge throughout Henry county during the ap-
preaching campaign
The roof of the opera house at Springfield
suddenly fell in Tuesday afternoon. com
pletciy wrecking the building and causing a loss
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
INDIANAAND ILLINOIS NEWS
The Daily Chronicle of Happenings of
All Kinds in the Two States.
Workingmen Swinded by Dishonest Con-
tractor-Suicide by Shooting-The Har-
din County Troubles Ended-Notes.
INDIANA.

Dishonest Ditch Contractor Decamps,
Leaving His Laborers Unpaid.
Special to the Indiana polls journal
WASHINGTON, Aug 10.-Twenty ditchers in
the north part of this county mourning the
loss of from $50 to 800 each account of the
disappearance of Bernard Doogan, ditch con-
tractor of that neighborhood, who departed the
other day. Bernard Doogan was detected in the
act of foisting forged bond for So, 900 on the
drainage commissioner. and steps were taken to
secure his arrest. but he got wind of the matter
and fed. Doogan owed some twenty of mis- men
for back wages Doogan is diminutive Irish
man, fcrty-fve years of age. and lis unmar-
RED He used to be detective.